Bush family in software row

The Bush family may be heading for an accusation of nepotism after it was revealed that Ignite, a software company run by controversial businessman Neil Bush, is targeting schools in Florida where his brother Jeb is governor.

Jeb and Neil are the second and third eldest sons of former president George Bush. Current president George W. Bush is the eldest.

Ignite is touting software that helps prepare students for Florida's Comprehensive Assessment Test, which Jeb Bush has made a key component of his administration's education policy.

The software is already being used in a free pilot programme at an Orlando-area middle school, but the firm hopes to sell its courses to other Florida schools at a cost of $30 a year per student.

Company spokeswoman Louise Thacker denied that brotherly love would give the company an unfair advantage, while the Florida State Department of Education said that Ignite officials had not yet approached the state about its product.

A spokeswoman for Jeb Bush told Associated Press that he has never talked with his brother Neil about his software business.

Neil Bush was a director of the failed Silverado Savings & Loan company in Colorado, which cost taxpayers $1bn and was investigated by a grand jury during his father's term as president. No charges were brought against him.